DC Mud Country and MT Baja MTZ

I hate to start a new thread, but I searched and did not find anything on either the Dick Cepek Mud Country or the Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ. I am shopping for new tires and I am not ruling anything out and these are two that I am considering. Information on these tires is pretty scarce, so I am hoping you can help me (and others out). I am well aware of other good tires out there for which there is plenty of information (BFG MT, Goodyear MT/R), so I will be disappointed if all I see is a "Get the BFG MT, they rock!" type of post. However, if you can offer a comparison between one tire and the other, that would be great information.

Thanks for the help!!

 

[james t]

We build both of them @ Cooper. The MTZ's are fairly new and i only know of one guy who has a set at work. He really likes them. They seem very comparable to a BFG MT (going by his review). I know that they are tough as hell and have some really thick sidewalls. Its too soon to know how long they will last as they've only been out for a few months. They are a 3-ply carcass and they use standard (thick) cord for all 3 plies vs. BFG which uses 3 thin plies that equal the same thickness as most standard 2 ply carcasses.

The Cepek MC is comparable to any other MT we build... Pro Comp MT, Mastercraft, Discoverer, etc. etc. If you get either set make sure you rotate them often- like every oil change or at least every other oil change. For whatever reason that is the key to making them last and wear evenly.

 

[KaiserM715]

Now we know who to interrogate when we need new tires How deep is the siping on the treads of either of these tires? I know on some tires they have pretty good siping until you get some wear on them and then it is greatly reduced (like my ProComp MTs, for example). Based on what I understand of your description of the MTZ sidewall, is the Mud Country sidewall similar to the BFG sidewall? Do the MTZ and MC share a carcass with each other or any other tire? Do you know of any one running the MCs? If Cooper needs a guinea pig...... Can you make a recommendation of one over the other?

I am very diligent about tire rotation (every 5k). That is how I got over 43k out of my current MTs.

Thanks for the information!!

 

[Dan Whitaker]

james, who makes Maxxis Big Horn? Or does Maxxis actualy make them?

Here is the tires I'm considering. All in 31x10.5x15

Maxxis Big Horn
Parnelli Dirt Grip
MT Baha MTZ
Cepek Mud Country

I will rarely see mud. Mostly dirt, gravel, rain & snow.

The dirt Grip look like they would be the best all around tire. I have read else where in this forum that they are not the best for mud.

The MT & Cepek looks like the next best tread designs for what I'm looking for & the Big Horn looks like the least best choice for me.

I just like that I can get a set of 4 of the Big Horn off Ebay for $460 shipped!

I kind of thought the Cepek Mud Country tread looked a Cooper tread now I know why

Sorry for hijacking your thread KaiserM715.

 

[james t]

Now we know who to interrogate when we need new tires How deep is the siping on the treads of either of these tires? I know on some tires they have pretty good siping until you get some wear on them and then it is greatly reduced (like my ProComp MTs, for example). Based on what I understand of your description of the MTZ sidewall, is the Mud Country sidewall similar to the BFG sidewall? Do the MTZ and MC share a carcass with each other or any other tire? Do you know of any one running the MCs? If Cooper needs a guinea pig...... Can you make a recommendation of one over the other?

I am very diligent about tire rotation (every 5k). That is how I got over 43k out of my current MTs.

Thanks for the information!!

I have no idea on the siping depth, just standard i guess. No, the DC MC is not a 3 ply like the BFG, it is a 2 ply. No the MTZ and MC dont share a carcass. No i dont know of anyone running the MC's. If i had to pick i guess i would take the MTZ's but they are pretty expensive. I still like the DC's and they are cheaper...

Hows that?

 

[james t]

james, who makes Maxxis Big Horn? Or does Maxxis actualy make them?

Here is the tires I'm considering. All in 31x10.5x15

Maxxis Big Horn
Parnelli Dirt Grip
MT Baha MTZ
Cepek Mud Country

I will rarely see mud. Mostly dirt, gravel, rain & snow.

The dirt Grip look like they would be the best all around tire. I have read else where in this forum that they are not the best for mud.

The MT & Cepek looks like the next best tread designs for what I'm looking for & the Big Horn looks like the least best choice for me.

I just like that I can get a set of 4 of the Big Horn off Ebay for $460 shipped!

I kind of thought the Cepek Mud Country tread looked a Cooper tread now I know why

Sorry for hijacking your thread KaiserM715.

Maxxis has someone make them, but i dont know who. I had a buddy that ran the PJ Dirt Grips on his Superduty. It was a pavement queen so i he never gave a review. They must wear pretty decent because he had them for a long time.

 

[KaiserM715]

No, the DC MC is not a 3 ply like the BFG, it is a 2 ply.
Hows that?

Hmmm. The DC MC is listed on the DC website as having 3ply sidewalls.

This is excellent information. Very helpful. I think that my decision will be made by what is more affordable. I am leaning towards the DC as the tread has more siping, but the Mickey sounds like a tougher tire. I also noticed that according to the specs on their respective websites, the Mickey is 1 lb lighter per tire (46 vs 47 for a 31x10.5r15). One other thing I forgot to ask about: tread compounds. I have heard that Mickey Thopmsons have reputation for wearing, although most folks are not very good about tire maintenance. Do these tires have a harder or softer tread compound than the ProComp MT?

Again, thanks for the help. It has been very interesting and helpful.

 

[KaiserM715]

I will rarely see mud. Mostly dirt, gravel, rain & snow.
Sorry for hijacking your thread KaiserM715.

Dan-
I know that 410Fortune will talk up a storm about how much he likes the DC FCII for the same driving conditions you list (also a tire I was considering, but ruled out as it was not aggressive enough).

You didn't really hijack the thread. You are looking at some of the same tires I have been.

 

[james t]

Hmmm. The DC MC is listed on the DC website as having 3ply sidewalls.

This is excellent information. Very helpful. I think that my decision will be made by what is more affordable. I am leaning towards the DC as the tread has more siping, but the Mickey sounds like a tougher tire. I also noticed that according to the specs on their respective websites, the Mickey is 1 lb lighter per tire (46 vs 47 for a 31x10.5r15). One other thing I forgot to ask about: tread compounds. I have heard that Mickey Thopmsons have reputation for wearing, although most folks are not very good about tire maintenance. Do these tires have a harder or softer tread compound than the ProComp MT?

Again, thanks for the help. It has been very interesting and helpful.

Ah, my mistake. I got this thread mixed up with the other one on the Fun Country's. Correct- the DC MC shares the same 3 ply carcass with the MTZ and the new Disoverer STT.

They all have the same tread compound. Wear is dictated more by tread design and overall tire construction.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I've been looking at prices on line & in magazines & noticed that the MTZ, Mud Country, F-C II, & dirt grip are neck & neck for price.

The Mud Country, MTZ & Dirt Grip are only about $2.00 more per tire than the F-C II.

I realize that 410fortune likes his F-C II but I'll buy the Mud Country MTZ or Dirt Grip for for the miniscule price difference.

 

[KaiserM715]

Well, I decided on the MC MTZ. I will be getting them put on next week. I will post my first impressions.

 

[james t]

Dude in the Jeep at work really likes them. I talked to him yesterday. Ill wait on your review. These might be my next daily driver tire since we get our discount on them.

 

[KaiserM715]

Initial impressions

I went with the MTZs and had them installed today. My initial impression is that they are significantly quieter (but I do realize I am comparing a brand new tire to a nearly worn out tire) and that there was not any buzzing at any speed (up to 75 mph, anyway). There is some howl at highway speeds, but not anything unusual for a mud tire. We shall see how things change as they wear.....

 

[james t]

Just make sure to rotate them often... that will keep them from cupping and getting the really loud howl.

 

[KaiserM715]

I always rotate them when I change my oil. I also try and get them balanced about every 10k miles.

 

[KaiserM715]

I forgot to mention some of the features about these tires that I did not notice until after they were installed. There is full depth siping in each lug (a big benefit in my mind, as I do see a lot of wet weather driving) and they have the wheel rim protector like the BFGs do.

 

[Spas]

I went with the MTZs and had them installed today. My initial impression is that they are significantly quieter (but I do realize I am comparing a brand new tire to a nearly worn out tire) and that there was not any buzzing at any speed (up to 75 mph, anyway). There is some howl at highway speeds, but not anything unusual for a mud tire. We shall see how things change as they wear.....

Hey Kaiser, is the tire howl super loud at lower speeds? What Psi do you run? (IzWack runs his in the teens because his TSL's seem to make more noise when it's just the center section of lugs making contact with the pavement, I'm wondering if I'll have to do the same thing) Did you have BfG M/t's before or some other type of M/t? Did you static balance them or use equal/airsoft bb's? I just ordered a set of 4 Baja Mtz's and got some equal powder bags for balancing....I'd like to know what I have to look forward to (or to dread, lol). Thanks!

 

[KaiserM715]

Spas-
At lower speeds they are very quiet IMO. I am still amazed as to how quiet they are for a mud tire at any speed. This is my daily driver, so I run 30psi in the street (Ford spec for my truck). I had ProComp MTs before these. They were spin balanced using clip on weights by 4Wheel Parts. I don't think they did as good of a job as the Discount that is by my house is capable of, but I got a good deal.

 

[KaiserM715]

Another Update

I have had these tires for awhile now and thought I would post another update. I have not driven enough to really judge wear, though. It has been raining a lot here (I have noticed some webbing developing in between my toes and I think I might be developing gills : ) and the wet weather traction is leaps and bounds better than my old tires. I am continually amazed at how quiet they are for a mud tire. I am still impressed!!

 

[410Fortune]

my new 35's for the BII are going to be MT MTZ's I believe, I am in the market right now comapring prices and sizes also looking at the DC Mud Country.
I am super happy with my 33x12.5 FC II's, best AT I have owned and I have had quite a few!!